Is my hamster dead or hibernating?

Don't use body heat as an indicator

Don't worry if your hamster feels cold. During hibernation your pet's body temperature will drop to match the environment, so coldness isn't always a cause for concern. If your hamster is also rigid and unresponsive, even in a warm temperature, however, it may have died.

Does a hibernating hamster look dead?

Although hamsters in hibernation appear lifeless, they will still move very slightly. Look out for twitching, or the occasional jerk/tremble. You might have to watch very closely to see these movements! You could also gently stroke your hamster's paws and whiskers to see if they twitch.

What are signs of a dead hamster?

What does a hamster look like when hibernating?

If you look closely at your hibernating hamster, you will notice that he is taking short, uneven breaths and is limp when you pick him up. His paws, ears and nose will be very cold to the touch. Hamsters do not wake up to drink when they are in hibernation and will become dehydrated.

Can you wake a hamster up from hibernation?

To get a hamster out of hibernation, try waking it up with body heat by holding it against your body for about 30 minutes. Alternatively, wrap your hamster in a towel and place it against a hot water bottle, or on a heating pad heated to around 90 degrees F for 30 to 60 minutes.

How do you know if a hamster is hibernating or dead?

Will a hibernating hamster respond?

Hibernation has nothing to do with the seasons, but it does have to do with the temperature. When it is nice and warm inside the house, your hamster will just stay awake, even if it is bitterly cold outside.

When hamsters hibernate are they stiff?

8. The hamster will become stiff. The problem when it comes to hamster hibernation is that these little furballs will become so stiff whenever they are hibernating. In fact, they are so stiff that you might think that they are actually dead.

Are hamsters eyes open when hibernating?

They can hibernate with their eyes open, half closed or completely closed. If your hamster's body is stiff like a board and you're unable to bend the limbs this is usually rigor mortis – a sign that your pet has died. Especially if you're certain that the environment hasn't been cold.

Why is my hamster not moving but still breathing?

If your hamster is not moving, watch it to see if it's breathing, since it may just be in hibernation. Make sure you watch it for over 2 minutes, as its breathing may slow to as few as 1 breath every 2 minutes when it's hibernating.

How long do hamsters hibernate last?

How long do hamsters hibernate? A hamster will usually only hibernate for two to three days. As a result, if they do not receive enough water, food, warmth, or light, they may remain in the torpor hibernating condition for an extended period of time. The longer they are dormant, the more harmful to the animal.

Can hamsters play dead?

Hamsters play dead for as long as they need to. They can pretend to be dead for a few seconds to a few hours, depending on how long the threat lasts. Frequent or prolonged danger will cause your hamster to play dead for longer, but it depends on how threatened it feels.

Can you revive a dead hamster?

My hamster was rock solid in his cage seemingly dead, we massaged him and warmed his body up with a hair dyer until he amazingly came back to life.

Can I throw away my dead hamster?

You can dispose of a dead hamster through burial or cremation. Depending on state law, you can bury a hamster in your backyard. If this is illegal where you live, you get a cemetery burial. A private cremation costs more than a mass cremation, but your hamster's ashes will be returned to you.

How long does rigor mortis last in hamsters?

Conversation. If a hamster is actually dead, rigor mortis will set in and the body will be completely stiff after an hour or two. If the body is limp, the hamster's likely still alive.

How long does it take for a dead hamster to start smelling?

In their natural habitat in the desert, they may start to smell in as little as ten hours. Inside your home, hamsters are likely to smell terrible within three days. You must pay close attention to your hamsters.

Do hibernating animals wake up?

One misconception about hibernation is that animals do not wake while hibernating. They do wake up, but how and how often they do depends on whether they are true hibernators or light sleep hibernators, Russell said.

Why is my hamster staying in one spot?

Hamsters can be huddled in the corner because they're feeling scared or uncomfortable. This is a favorite hiding spot, they do not like something in their enclosure, or they are ill.

How do you save a dying hamster?

Why is my hamster not active?

As previously mentioned, hamsters are active and energetic animals, so if you see a hamster that lacks energy or is being sluggish, have them evaluated by a veterinarian. “Any time a hamster is acting lethargic we start to worry,” says Ochoa. “Hamster's do not show signs of sickness until they are very sick.”

Do hamsters eyes open when dead?

If you try to rub their body or poke them in a soft way you'll also notice that they won't fidget around at all. They won't even open or close their eyes if you're touching them in general but instead will remain unresponsive. A hamster that is dead also won't respond to any food or water that you try to give them.

What do you do with a dead hamster?

Bury the hamster in an out-of-the-way plot, at least three feet deep, to ensure that it won't be unearthed by other animals. Alternatively, dispose of the hamster in the garbage. Be sure your local zoning laws allow this type of burial.

What is torpor in hamsters?

Torpor is a type of hibernation that can occur at any time of the year. It is also known as permissive or facultative hibernation because it is triggered by the hamster to conserve energy. This can happen when food is scarce or environmental temperatures are low. Torpor lasts hours to days.

Why is my hamster walking slowly?

Dehydration - if your hamster is suddenly listless and not walking around much, then there's a strong chance that your hamster is either severely dehydrated, or has a serious illness. If your hamster is showing these symptoms and you don't think your pet is hibernating, we recommend taking these hamsters to see a vet.

Why is my hamster cold and wobbly?

When the ambient temperature becomes really cold, hamsters tend to hibernate and go into a low energy condition. You'll notice this happening when they stop doing their usual activities—running, burrowing, playing, etc. It may look like your pet is extremely ill; however, hibernation behavior is normal.

Why did my hamster hibernate?

Hamsters hibernate to survive extreme weather conditions, fluctuating food supplies or if they're deprived of light for long periods of time. If your pet hamster hibernates there is a danger that they could suffer with dehydration or hyperthermia.